The Application Period for the National Inventory of Living Heritage 2026 Has Opened
The Finnish Heritage Agency opens the application for the National Inventory of Living Heritage for the fourth time in January 2026. The Ministry of Education and Culture periodically inscribes new elements to the National Inventory based on proposals from the Finnish Heritage Agency. Currently, the inventory contains 86 elements. The application period is open until March 16, 2026.
Inclusion in the National Inventory of Living Heritage is a recognition for communities practicing these traditions. The inventory brings stronger visibility to traditions and deepens the process of safeguarding living heritage.
A total of 86 elements have been selected in the previous rounds for the National Inventory of Living Heritage. In the background there is the Wiki-inventory of Living Heritage, which has ongoing applications. The Wiki-inventory already includes 270 articles from nearly 450 entities with articles in seven different languages. The Ministry of Education and Culture decides on the elements to be included in the National Inventory based on proposals from the Finnish Heritage Agency with support from the Advisory group on intangible cultural heritage. Other experts in the field of living heritage also have the opportunity to comment electronically on applications submitted to the National Inventory.
Intangible cultural heritage includes, among others, festivals and customs, performing arts, oral traditions, craft skills, food traditions, games and play, as well as nature-related traditions. The inventory process considers forms of living heritage practiced in Finland—regardless of whether their origins are in Finland or if they are practiced in other countries. Various communities, associations, or groups of individuals that practice and transmit the tradition can submit applications to the inventory.
Elements inscribed in the UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage lists must be included in the National Inventory. This does not apply to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of UNESCO. The next application round in Finland for UNESCO will be held in the fall of 2026, focusing on good safeguarding practices.
Elements from Finland in UNESCO’s lists of intangible cultural heritage include the sauna tradition in Finland (designated in 2020), Kaustinen fiddle playing (2021), and Nordic clinker boat traditions (2021). Finland is also involved in multinational elements: the Nordic clinkerboat tradition (2021) and the knowledge, skills, and techniques related to handmade glass (2023). A joint proposal from Sweden and Finland concerning the Torne River dipnet fishing is currently under evaluation, with inscription expected in December 2027.